Best Ways to Love our Planet and People on Valentine’s Day

What do you think or feel is the best way to spend Valentine’s Day? Want to acknowledge your love—not just for yourself, significant other, family, and/or friends, but for the planet?

Look below to see research, tips, and ideas that can reduce the environmental impact of Valentine's Day, as well as suggestions for ways to celebrate happily and sustainably.

One example from the National Retail Federation (NRF) is on the average, U.S. Consumers will end up spending a record $27.5 billion on Valentine's Day celebrations and gifts in 2025.

Best Ways to Love the Planet and

 
People

 on Valentine's Day
 

1.     Provide experience gifts such as a gift certificate for a spa day or concert tickets, rather than perfume or pajamas, and you might just create more than a momentary lift. Make memories and encourage a greater sense of well-being, by spending time together engaged in an activity both of you love.

 

2.     Plan a romantic home-cooked Vegan Valentine's meal, as its  carbon footprint is smaller than an animal-based food one would be. Read Plant-based Dietary Patterns for Human and Planetary Health from the National Institute of health (NIH). 

This study shows transitioning to plant-based diets (PBDs) has the potential to reduce diet-related land use by 76%,  diet-related greenhouse gas emissions by 49%, and helps prevent chronic diseases and lower risk of all-cause mortality.

See Vegan Valentine's Day Recipe Roundup for simple yet delicious festive food to cook at home.

 

Before you gift shop, think of the negative impact the production and transportation of flowers, chocolates, jewelry, and other gifts add to carbon emissions from fossil fuels and drain energy from manufacturing, shipping, and distributing goods.

There's no doubt that customary Valentine's Day observances leave an adverse eco-footprint that cannot be ignored.

3.      Nurture Mother Nature by grabbing a friend to plant a tree and help stabilize climate, control erosion, give shade, and provide habitats for many animals.
 
4.      Support local businesses for food gifts, clothing, and other items and rest easy, as you don't have to travel to distant places.
 
5.      Opt-in for recycled or reusable packaging and see how creative you can get with decorations.
 
6.     Pick home grown or a locally grown bouquet or plant to honor your special person and this special day.
 

7.     Celebrate your Valentine in an eco-friendly way by engaging in outdoor activities together. Some ideas are hiking, biking, skating, or skiing. 
 
8.     Buy fair trade chocolate or jewelry. Better yet, make your own. 

Photo of Dark Chocolate Hearts from Nora at A Clean Bake

Click the link for a recipe for "Homemade Sugar-Free Dark Chocolate (gluten free, paleo, and vegan)." It's from Nora Schlesinger, the home cook, baker, and mom on a mission to help you and your family live well with food allergies and intolerances. Don't forget to check out many tasty recipes at A Clean Bake. 

9.     If you are gifting new clothes, choose clothing made from sustainable materials like bamboo or hemp and look for quality products rather than quantity.

 
10.  Recycle, repurpose, or reuse giftwrap, cards, and the like to conserve natural resources and stay within your budget.
 
11.    Instead of shopping for new items thrift shop or hold a swap meet. Give new life to pre-loved clothing and household goods. 💝

Please conserve, recycle, repair, and reuse items on hand. This one measure makes a big dent in curtailing pollution and saves energy, money, and time for us to enjoy life and the our precious environment. 

In what ways do you demonstrate to loved ones and the planet how much you care for them?

Which ideas sound practical and/or fun to try for Valentine's Day this year?

Please make the effort to develop eco-friendly methods and be a mindful consumer all year long. To foster real change, keep on making eco-savvy moves each day you can. 

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Wishing you a fabulous Valentine's Day. Please remember to be kind and loving to yourself, others, and the planet!

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Vegan Black Bean Soup-Spicy, Scrumptious, and Simple

 

This post features black beans and shows you how to make Vegan Black Bean Soup that's Spicy, Scrumptious, and Simple.

 

Black beans are a popular ingredient in South and Central American cuisine, and shine in rice and bean dishes, chili, and burrito recipes.

 

Beans are an excellent source of fiber, protein, and iron. Studies have shown that many of the nutrients in black beans are health enhancing, and range from decreasing cholesterol to maintaining low blood sugar. 

 

It's easy to add beans to almost any recipe by replacing meat with beans or adding beans for plant -based protein in casseroles, stews, veggie burgers, and tacos.

 

Look bellow to see what I mean.  

 

 

Vegan Black Bean Soup 

 

 Spicy, Scrumptious, and 

Simple

 

This hearty vegan black bean soup is packed with plump black beans, celery, carrot, onion, garlic, and spicy seasonings. Rich in protein, fiber, and flavor, beans can satisfy even the biggest appetite.

Loved by vegans and non-vegans alike, this warming soup is especially satisfying to eat, when temps drop or you need a lively pick me up.

 

Ingredients:

2- 15oz cans low-sodium black beans or 3-4 cups pre-cooked black beans. You may use regular canned black beans, but make sure to drain and rinse to reduce sodium content

4 cups vegan low sodium vegetable broth

1 dried bay leaf

1 cup finely diced red or yellow onion

2 or 3 carrots sliced or chopped

2 or 3 stalks celery chopped

5 large garlic cloves, minced (garlic packs a nutritional and taste punch)

1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin

1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika

 

1 teaspoon dried or 2 teaspoons fresh ground oregano

red pepper flakes to taste

2 small Jalapeño peppers or 1 large (wear gloves to clean, remove seeds, and chop into small pieces). Substitute salsa to simplify

½ to 1 teaspoon lime juice or lemon juice or vinegar

Note: Smoked paprika adds a complex smoky note to this dish. Cumin adds a lively, earthy flavor that enhances the overall taste of the soup. Cumin is a spice that’s common in many black bean recipes, particularly in Cuban and Mexican cuisine. Lime perks up flavors and provides a splash of natural Vitamin C.

Optional: Most veggies go well in this soup, and I often include chopped mushrooms, red pepper, kale, cabbage, peas, potatoes, and tomatoes etc. This depends on what I have on hand. I use organic products whenever possible, because organic produce tastes better, is healthier, and doesn't pollute the planet.

 

 

What to Do:

1. Put onion and garlic into a large ceramic, cast iron, or heavy weight stainless steel pot or Dutch oven on the stove top. Without using any oil, brown onion and garlic for about 2 minutes on medium heat. If any food sticks, use a drop or two of water. Cook for 3 or 4 minutes more, or until the onion and garlic are soft and browned. Add chopped carrot and celery and do the same. 

 

This is an easy way to brown ingredients without oil. Then add the cumin and cook for 30 seconds more. Browning the cumin helps give the soup bold flavor, rich color, and adds a delightful aroma to the soup as it cooks. 

  

2. Add drained black beans to the pot and pour in 4 cups of vegetable broth or water. Add bay leaf, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, oregano, and chopped jalapeño. Add optional ingredients too. Bring to a boil, cover, and lower to a simmer.

Note: My optional ingredients are a 28 oz. can of organic crushed tomatoes and parsley. The crushed tomatoes make the soup look dark red. Parsley adds a fresh, sweet note.  

 

 Cook covered on medium heat for 20-30 minutes (leave a space open on the lid of the pot to allow steam to disperse). Cook until black beans and veggies are tender. Check pot every few minutes and stir and lower temperature slightly, if soup veggies start to stick. When cooked thoroughly, remove bay leaf, taste, and correct seasoning if necessary. Then squeeze on lime or lemon juice. 

Garnish with anything you like. Possibilities include ½ cup chopped cilantro or parsley, red onion rings, dollop of salsa, and/or dollop of vegan sour cream. Serve piping hot.

3. For hearty eaters, serve with a salad and whole grain bread like I did. 

If you prefer a very thick soup, puree some and/or mix in cooked brown rice or other grain. Corn chips, salsa, and a side of guacamole go great with this zesty soup too.

Do you have a favorite recipe for black bean soup and is it spicy, scrumptious, and simple? 

Please comment in the comment section below. What ways do you eat black beans and did you know they are so healthy?

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Cook Broccoli Rabe for Health and Good Taste Benefits

 

Brimming with the flavors of the Mediterranean, my recipe for Broccoli Rabe with Garlicky Greens, Chickpeas, and Lemon Juice is sublime.

 

Despite its name, Broccoli Rabe is not part of the broccoli family. Broccoli Rabe is closely related to turnips, although cooked like a leafy vegetable.

 

It is a cruciferous vegetable and belongs to the same genus (Brassicas) as cabbage, cauliflower, and kale. In some regions, Broccoli Rabe is known as Broccoli Rapini or Raab.

 

Broccoli Rabe is rich in nutrients and has many health benefits. It is a great source of vitamin A and vitamin C (ascorbic acid), which contributes to good vision and better immunity, respectively.

It’s also rich in potassium, which is important for regulating blood pressure, and magnesium, which our bodies use to produce energy.

Note: This blog post is intended for information and entertainment purposes only and not meant as nutrition advice. 

This dish is a combination of sweet, sour, bitter, and umami flavors. Its whole food ingredients provide plant based energy and fiber from its dark green leaves, stems, and florets. Protein rich beans, piquant lemon juice, herbs, and spices complete the mix.

See my easy to make recipe for  Sautéed Broccoli Rabe. It's a simple, taste tempting dish.

Fresh and invigorating minced garlic, spicy red pepper flakes, and tangy lemon juice blend together to awaken even the sleepiest taste buds.

If cooked right, this tender, juicy side dish or light on the wallet and waistline main course has a slightly bitter yet appealing flavor. It's especially warming and comforting to eat during the winter, when Broccoli Rabe is in-season here.

Sautéed Broccoli Rabe

Ingredients:

1 large bunch organic Broccoli Rabe (about 1 lb.) rinsed in cool clean water and bottom of stems removed

4-6 cloves fresh garlic minced (adjust to taste)

1 large lemon squeezed for juice

1 can chickpeas (garbanzo beans) rinsed and drained or substitute another bean or legume of your choice 

1 or two teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes to taste

2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil, or vegetable broth, or water, or combo

salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

Optional Ingredients: sweet minced onion, capers, black pitted olives, pre-cooked pasta, quinoa, or brown rice, cooked Yukon gold potatoes, tofu cubes, tempeh slices, other type of bean or legume, nutritional yeast, and Italian herbs and spices like basil and oregano.

What to Do:

1. Prep Broccoli Rabe like this.

2. Cook on medium heat. Sauté garlic in oil (broth or water) until golden, and give the red pepper flakes about 30 seconds or so to infuse into the oil as well.

3. Pour in chickpeas and spices and herbs. Allow for creativity to blossom. Add a combination of optional ingredients like those above and sauté covered for 10-15 minutes more. 

Make sure the garlic, red pepper flakes, and chickpeas are mixed into the pot well—if they settle to the bottom without moving, they may burn.

4. Taste and correct seasoning. Drizzle on lemon juice before serving to draw out flavors. If the Broccoli Rabe tastes too bitter for you, cook another few minutes. The longer Broccoli Rabe simmers the mellower it tastes.

5. Serve while hot with crusty bread and soup or a salad. 

Another option is to serve Broccoli Rabe on a bed of pasta, quinoa, or rice. 

Look at the photo below. Sautéed Broccoli Rabe was so tasty and tender when combined with elbow macaroni and marinara tomato sauce, an easy-peasy new creation.

 

Here's a photo of Broccoli Rabe served with Potato Salad and Cole Slaw.

Did you ever eat or make Broccoli Rabe? Do you know how it was prepared? Please explain in the comments section below. 

What cruciferous veggies do you enjoy eating and how do you prepare them? Please share that info too.

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Happy 2025! Wishing you much health, happiness, and harmony in the coming months. Please don't forget to check back soon at Colors 4 Health, the place where colors and a healthy lifestyle intersect.

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